blargman

I'm looking at perhaps upgrading to one of these 2 bikes. I like the slighter more relaxed geometry of the Defy 1. How does it compare component wise to the GT? I'm not familiar with all the GT branded components.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...fy/9014/48853/
vs
https://www.gtbicycles.com/2012/bikes...gtr-series-2-0

Thoughts?

Capecodder

I have a GT series 3 and love it, and I personally think Giant bikes suck JMO.

blargman

I have a series 3 right now. I like it, It just needs to be a bit bigger. I have the L and want to go to an XL. Figured this would be an excuse to upgrade. I really only looked at the Giant due to the relaxed geo. I was also looked at the Specialized Secteur for the same reasons, but my LBS doesn't carry specialized. Evidently my LBS was saying if you want to carry Specialized it has to be like 51%+ of your stock or they won't sell to you.

chasm54

Component-wise, I don't think there's much to choose between them with the Defy being marginally higher spec.

Giant make excellent bikes, don't let anyone tell you different. What you prefer is of course a matter of taste.

blargman

What's higher spec on it? I'm just looking to learn a bit too I guess. It's ok, I don't really want to make the discussion about who hates what brands. I'm more concerned about the facts I guess. FWIW Giant makes bikes for a bunch of manufacturers don't they?

All in all I am probably comparing very close spec bikes. I'm just curious what's what.

Ghost Ryder

Correct, Giant makes frames for many big bike companies.
If they didn't know what they were doing, would other companies higher them to make their frames?
I'm slightly biased since I chose the Defy as my first build. I like the relaxed geo for longer rides.

I'll highlight what components I think are better.


Giant Defy 1 specs:

Frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum
Fork Advanced-Grade Composite, Alloy OverDrive Steerer
Shock N / A

COMPONENTS

Handlebar Giant Connect, 31.8
Stem Giant Connect
Seatpost Giant Connect Composite, 30.9
Saddle Giant Performance Road, Men's
Pedals N/A

DRIVETRAIN

Shifters Shimano 105
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Brakes Tektro TK-R540 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
Brake Levers Shimano 105
Cassette Shimano Tiagra 12x28, 10-Speed
Chain Shimano Tiagra
Crankset Shimano R565, 34/50
Bottom Bracket Shimano, Press Fit

WHEELS
Rims Giant P-R2
Hubs Giant Sealed Bearing 24/28h
Spokes DT Swiss Competition, 14/15g
Tires Giant P-R3, Flat Guard, Front and Rear Specific, 700x23


GT 2.0 Specs:

TYPE OF FRAME NEW Hydroformed / Butted (TT, DT/ST) Speed Metal™ Alloy Frame w/ Forged Dropouts, Bottom Bracket, and 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" Tapered Head Tube
FORK New GT Road Design W/ F.O.C. Ultra™ Carbon, 1 1/8" To 1 1/4" Carbon Tapered Steerer
CRANK FSA Gossamer BB30 Compact, 50/36
BOTTOM BRACKET FSA BB30 Sealed bearing
SHIFTERS Shimano 105, 10-speed STI
COG SET Shimano 4600, 10-speed 12-28(not sure if this[4600] is Tiagra)
CHAIN KMC X10 , 10-speed
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105 10-speed

RIMS Alex ALX 200 wheelset, 1900 G/ 20 Hole Front 24 Hole Rear
FRONT HUB Alex Sealed bearing, CNC aluminum 20 Hole Front 24 Hole Rear
REAR HUB Alex Sealed bearing, CNC aluminum 20 Hole Front 24 Hole Rear
SPOKES Stainless 15 gauge Straight
TIRES Schwalbe Lugano, 700x23c
PEDALS N/A

FRONT BRAKE RC 476 Dual Pivot, Cold Forged, SureStop cartridge pads
REAR BRAKE RC 476 Dual Pivot, Cold Forged, SureStop cartridge pads
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano 105 STI
HANDLEBAR GT design Shallow drop road double butted 6061 alloy
STEM GT design 3D forged 6061, 4 bolt face plate
HEADSET FSA Integrated sealed bearing, 1.125 top, 1.25 lower
SADDLE GT Bio Morphic RACE Dual Density
SEAT POST GT 2 bolt alloy road, 31.6x300
REAR SHOCK N/A
EXTRAS N/A

They are spec'd pretty close, it will all come down to fit, & finish.
Test both, & pick whichever feels best to you.

What type of riding do you plan on doing?

I always liked the old GT road bike with the triple triangle frame styling, too bad they didn't carry it over to the next gen bikes.

blargman

I see, the cassette and derailleur were the only things that kinda popped out for me as well but I didn't know if the Tiagra was any better than what the GT had. Yeah it does look like they should be very similar.
I plan on using it for mostly exercise and getting to the gym and back. Which is a 10 mile round-trip ride on mostly flat roads. No dirt or gravel. So nothing exceedingly long. I might take it out on some days for longer out in the country roads here. Nothing too hilly. I'm trying to find a place around that will have my size. I'm probably going to need an XL (6'4") or at least a L. I guess it will come down to what I can find as far as a test ride. I just don't want to buy it sight unseen. Unfortunately that's what I did with my Large Series 3.0 that I have now, and it ended up too small. I've got the seat way up and now the handlebars are too far down and away. I figure if I go the next size up , I won't need to put the seat up as high and the handlebars will be a bit higher and closer. Especially on the Defy.

blargman

Hmm. I'm thinking maybe I'll go with this instead if I can find one locally. A bit more money.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...pcompact#specs
Worth it?

*i spose ill try to find out when i ride them all*

pgjackson

That GT is sweet looking. I really like that frame. The old Giant Defy 1 frames used to look like that. Now the Defy 1 looks plain boring. Not a fan of the Specialized "squatting dog" frames, but it has a full 105 set up. All of them are great bikes, but I like that GT just for the looks.

bonz50

I have a GT series 2 (2011 model from PerfBike), mine is spec'd with Apex, a shimano 105 11-25 cassette, and mavic aksium wheels, for the money, it has been absolutely phenomenal.